Published on September 3, 2024 by Zencare Team. Written by Paula Glashausser, LCSW.
The initial question that comes to mind when one first considers therapy is, “Am I f’ed up enough for this?” We generally hear about folks being referred to a therapist by a doctor or health professional because of a clinical diagnosis. We sometimes also have friends or family members who have experienced hardship or trauma in their lives. Either way, these brave people generally receive psychotherapy or some form of behavioral health treatment for a reason. But are folks with an official diagnosis the only people who can seek therapy? Absolutely not.
How do I know if my reason is serious enough?
Having a history of clinical depression, anxiety, or PTSD is a great reason to seek support from a therapist, but so is any other reason. It is always okay to ask for help. If there is something going on that has had a negative impact on your daily life, even if you’re unsure of exactly what it is or of the severity of it, it is okay to seek professional therapeutic support.
It’s possible that we may initially try to work things out on our own, which is great, however, there are situations where we just can’t do it alone. These are the times when seeking support from a licensed therapist can be helpful. Situations, feelings, thoughts, symptoms, serious or not, can sometimes require professional attention.
The great thing about therapy is that it helps you sort things out and offers support in understanding what’s going on, what you need, creating goals to meet those needs, and helping you reach those goals in a safe and healthy way. Therapy is quite special because it is for everyone, at any age, at any stage of life, for any reason, with treatment that is individualized so that it is tailored to each person’s specific needs.
10 reasons people may choose to go to therapy
Outside of seeking therapy or treatment due to a clinical mental health condition, here are some general reasons that people may choose to go to therapy:
1. Life Transitions – Change is the only constant in life, and sometimes, changes in our lives, major or minor, can be really difficult to work through. Whether it’s a break-up, adjusting to a new workplace, or moving away from the only home you’ve ever known, it can be hard to cope with. Having someone to talk to as you move through this period of adjustment can help ease the transition. Therapists provide psychoeducation and utilize therapeutic interventions to help you reach your goals in a healthy way.
2. Interpersonal Issues – Whether in a romantic relationship, a friendship, a parent-child relationship, or dealing with a difficult boss, navigating relationships in our lives can sometimes be really complicated. Working with a therapist can provide a great deal of support and help with identifying concerns, improving communication, setting boundaries, and strategizing how you can express your feelings and needs within that relationship.
3. Couples Therapy – Experiencing difficulty within a romantic relationship (dating, pre-marital, marital, etc.) can take a significant toll. Couples therapy allows for couples to attend sessions together in order to explore the issues at hand. Couples therapy can support couples in working through areas of conflict, improving communication, strengthening the relationship, and learning to better understand one another, among other things.
4. Grief and Loss – Loss is one of the most difficult things one can experience. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, a pet, a job, or a project you were working on – big or small – loss can take a toll. Processing those feelings with a professional therapist can provide you with the support you need to keep moving forward and processing your feelings in a healthy way. We all process grief differently, within different time periods, which kind of feels like a rollercoaster because we don’t really see the ups and down coming. Receiving support from a therapist allows you to both process and feel your grief. The truth about grief is that it never really gets smaller or goes away, and working with a therapist to learn how to grow around that grief can make a big difference.
5. Living with a Medical Condition – Medical and health issues, whether that of a loved one or your own, can arise unexpectedly or worsen. This is very difficult to cope with and support from a therapist can be beneficial.
6. Personal Exploration and Growth – Sometimes we can feel a little stuck. It’s possible nothing is “wrong” per se, but things just don’t feel great. If you’re wanting to explore where you are in life and what you need next, therapy can be a safe, non-judgmental, unbiased place to do that.
7. Improving Mindfulness and Overall Well-being – Oftentimes we want to embark on a journey that can be reflective all while allowing us to heal and grow. Exploring what plays into emotional wellness and how to incorporate mindful practices into our daily routines can be very helpful and can allow us the space needed to improve our overall well-being. Gaining knowledge about the tools needed to regulate and calm your nervous system can have a positive impact on all areas of life.
8. Personal Identity – Life happens and sometimes our identities get lost in the shuffle. Along with feeling stuck, you may feel that you don’t quite know who you are anymore. Seeking support from a therapist can help in rebuilding your identity and understanding what you need. As individuals, we have many areas of identity, which can include gender and sexual identities, personal identities, professional identities, etc., and it’s possible we may need a little bit of help figuring it all out. Working with a therapist can help peel all the layers back and allow a new you to rise from the ashes.
9. Processing Emotions – Sometimes we just need to talk things through. Something has happened and we need to process and better understand the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that have come to light. How do I feel about this? Why do I feel this way? How do I move forward? Working with a therapist can help explore feelings and thoughts, as well as provide insight on next steps.
10. Stress Management — Life happens and things can sometimes get really tough. Whether work’s been really busy, it’s finals week, your child is struggling in school, you’re worried about being laid off, or maybe a loved one has been in the hospital — it can feel very heavy. There’s a lot on your plate, and you’re not sure how to manage things. In times like these, working with a therapist can offer support and validation, and can help you manage and cope with stress in a healthy way.
Therapy is a safe space for everyone
In therapy, clients receive evidence-based, supportive, and non-judgmental care. Therapy is meant to be a safe space where clients can feel comfortable sharing all kinds of things, including their deepest, darkest feelings (if they want to, of course). We all need help sometimes. We all need a space to speak freely without fear of being judged or shamed. We all need a person who can hold space for us and validate our feelings. We all need someone experienced, with the proper educational background and training, to provide us with care.
As strong and resilient as one may be, it is okay to seek support. It is okay to ask for help. Regardless of what it is that one needs help with, receiving support from a therapist can provide the tools, skills, and support needed to overcome anything life throws your way, which can truly make all the difference.
Therapy is for everyone – for those who consider themselves f’ed up, for those who don’t, and for those somewhere in between.
Therapy is for everyone.
Disclaimer: This article is not therapeutic advice. If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, please call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 free and confidential support. If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.